Marae Visit

There was loud voices from two women on the Marae because they were calling out a karanga. All the kids from the Middle Syndicate and parents (mums and dads) were at the Marae. We experienced te roa - maori language.  After the karanga's we were welcomed onto the marae with a powhiri. Then Whare Sue lead us to the kai room ( dining room). We were entertained by Parkland school. They performed a haka and some waiatas which took about 10-15 minutes. Mr. H handed everyone a  napkin which allowed them to grab two things from the table, after we had to sit down until we were asked to move.

We were split into two groups ( group one and two ). Rm's five and six were shown around the marae village while rm's seven and eight were taken into the meeting house. Whare Donna talked about the plants and how when the christchurch people came to stay, they could fit 1,000 people in one marae.
Each week they would have a hungi out the back. On the way we passed the pre-school for the little kids under six that wanted to learn moari language and history.
We went to see the carving studio. John, a well known carver was carving a walking stick on the walls were marvellous maori statues. After half an hour we met back at the meeting house we switched groups and entered the meeting house.The rules were:

• Take of your shoes.
• Do not take photos inside incase you copy.
• Walk up the steps not over the carvings because it would be disrespectful.

We slipped off our shoes and rested them tidily by the wall. Wharae Sue pointed at the weavings hung along the wall. The interesting thing was that they all had a story and a meaning. We had the chance to walk around the room and look at the carvings.It took three whole years to make.  John taught some people how to carve so that they could decorate the meeting house with ancesters.After we got to ask some questions about either the ancesters or the weavings.
The meeting house was used for keeping visitors.

Our half an hour had been up. We walked out positioning ourselves on the seats. They did one more karanga to say good-bye. Wow that was an amazing journey to the marae!
I hope to go again!!!!!

By Ella and Talia